Getting Over Picture Phobias
Photograph by zeon7
The flash of the camera is barely blinding and goes off so frequently that it is almost unnoticeable. What would seem like obnoxious, invading paparazzi is otherwise, is accepted because it is your friends and family that control the trigger (whoops - Freudian slip - I meant to say shutter). Some still insist on using film, so you forget about those latent images until they surface at another gathering. You make appreciative sounds as you look at the pictures of the wonderful memory. And for those using digital cameras, they show you the pictures right then and there, before the image becomes digital air.
The truth is, with the digital air, you may find yourself somewhat relieved that you may never see that photograph of you again with eyes half closed in a blink, exposed in some unflattering pose, or with huge hips because of the evils of the wide angle (it is the camera really - my hips cannot be that big). And the next truth is that maybe you dread looking at those images because they are completely unflattering and remind you that your body is not remotely as you would wish.
These are some of the things weight loss clients have shared with me in their journey toward their weight goals. The kicker is that even after these people lost their weight, in some cases toned their bodies through exercise, they look at random photos taken by others and are still unhappy with themselves, no matter what positive messages their clothing sizes or scales send them.
Here is the rub, people. Just because someone has a camera, does not mean that they will be able to take fabulous pictures of you. Odd camera angles, wrong lens, bad lighting and other factors can distort your actual image. The camera can, in fact, lie. One thing I am doing for my recent weight loss group is having a professional portrait photographer come in and do both the before and after picture of my clients. Their before pictures do not need to be hideous because I would rather the client see themselves in the same conditions before and after, so they can get a better comparison.
The other thing my clients did was their own weekly photographic journal of images. For this, the same photographer gave them a self portrait workshop. This proved really handy. The first thing he suggested was buying an inexpensive tripod, rather than just holding the camera out at arms length (bad angles for most people).
I started thinking about this recently when I saw a new product that might be better than a typical tripod that I think would be helpful for these photo diaries. It is called the 
xshot. Basically it is an extension rod that the camera can be attached to for a handheld pictures in a way that allows optimized self-portraits. It gives one flexibility with more angles and the option of a more flattering camera lens distance. Also, it is compact. It collapses to just nine inches for easy (and light ) carrying.
So the gist is that you attach your compact camera via a quick spin knob (no quick release adapters to lose). Then you chose your angle (the adapter rotates 180 degrees), extended the extension (37 inches), set your self-timer and hold out the rod with the camera attached at your height level (camera facing you of course).
Here is the truly fun aspect of this. When you are at gathering where other people bring out the cameras, just pull out the xshot, along with your own camera and take control of the situation. Put yourself in the festive pictures with your friends and family and shoot away. The best thing is that you get to pick the angle and the lens, perhaps receiving happier results. Then when it comes time to share the images, you will have your own memories where maybe, just maybe you like the way you are preserved in the moment.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Congrats on winning the XShot!
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